Windows 7 vs. Windows 8

Ok, here's the deal. I am in the process of building a new computer. This will be the first time I've built one on my own, and am currently acquiring all of the parts. I will be installing a SSD + HDD and running the OS from the SSD. Basically, I am not sold on the new Windows 8. Currently I am running Windows 7, and this I got as an upgrade from XP that I had some student deal from university for special pricing with, and was just a downloaded upgrade, not full version install. Therefore, because of the way the upgrade was, I am not sure I will be able to use it again, i.e. install xp just to upgrade to windows 7 the way the deal worked. Therefore I may just have to buy a full version of the OS no matter what. In any case, is Windows 8 better "under the hood" than Windows 7? Obviously, I can see the differences in the UI and am not impressed with Windows 8 but is it that much better to spend the extra money on buying a full version of Windows 8 vs. Windows 7?

If you don't like the UI, get start8 or classic shell. Windows 8 is of course faster/lighter/more responsive than it's older brother. If you are getting a new OS it's a no-brainer. Windows 8 is on par with 7 and will only continue to improve upgrade after upgrade and the difference between it and 7 will be like 7 and vista today.

If I was getting a new OS with a new build, I would take the windows 8.....

Well, i love windows 8. I think it's fantastic. Quick, responsive, good looking. Starts in about 5 seconds with a SSD.
Then again i came from Mac, and not Windows 7. I think the reason a lot of people whine about it is because change bothers people instinctively.

If you don't like the UI, get start8 or classic shell. Windows 8 is of course faster/lighter/more responsive than it's older brother. If you are getting a new OS it's a no-brainer. Windows 8 is on par with 7 and will only continue to improve upgrade after upgrade and the difference between it and 7 will be like 7 and vista today.

If I was getting a new OS with a new build, I would take the windows 8.....

I have both at the moment. Win 7 on a brand new pc with i5 3570k and an ssd and then Win 8 on an old e8500 with some WD green. While I personally hate Metro with the passion of a thousand fiery suns I will say that Windows 8 is wicked quick.

Take Lemmiwink's suggestion if you are like me and hate Metro but get Win 8 as it is definitely quicker than win 7.

If you don't like the UI, get start8 or classic shell. Windows 8 is of course faster/lighter/more responsive than it's older brother. If you are getting a new OS it's a no-brainer. Windows 8 is on par with 7 and will only continue to improve upgrade after upgrade and the difference between it and 7 will be like 7 and vista today.

If I was getting a new OS with a new build, I would take the windows 8.....

First I would like to thank you for your information on the 3rd party Start menu options , cause I had no clue they existed.

Second, form my brief time playing with 8, there is little reason to pick one either way, unless you have a touch screen that fully supports 8, in which case get 8. But for most people with a standard mouse and keyboard set up just get 7, its not quite as fast but likely cheaper and have few compatibility issues (though there not many that I can think off the top of my head) and has basically the same functionality.

First I would like to thank you for your information on the 3rd party Start menu options , cause I had no clue they existed.

Second, form my brief time playing with 8, there is little reason to pick one either way, unless you have a touch screen that fully supports 8, in which case get 8. But for most people with a standard mouse and keyboard set up just get 7, its not quite as fast but likely cheaper and have few compatibility issues (though there not many that I can think off the top of my head) and has basically the same functionality.

I would say this; If you have Windows 7 already and you are happy with it, I don't see an immediate need to change to Windows 8. If you are about to purchase a new OS, get the Windows 8.

I am currently running Windows 7 myself but I have already built 2 systems with Windows 8 and installed Classic shell on one of them due to the owners inability to work in the metro UI. I can't not recommend it to people even if there is a lot of haters out there. And I used to hate the metro UI and the fact that there is no way around it without installing 3rd party software. I don't have this opinion anymore though, windows 8 is at least as good as windows 7 and is alot faster on top of that.

There are a few minuses though, one of them being forced to sign in to your live account at start up. Another thing is only being able to clone screen when running multiple monitors. (I haven't figured out yet how to do it "properly" yet, have not used it so much yet though) And a couple of minor issues like a new explorer etc. But that's more because of new interfaces here and there and not "because it's bad".

My tip for any of you would be to buy the "SYSTEM BUILDER" license type for you home-made PC (for Windows 8). - This only in case you don't own a retail Win7 which can be upgraded and reactivated on the new PC.
Search the internet about the features of this type of license.